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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Refashioned Airelle blouse

I hope you're not tired of seeing Deer and Doe related stuff on this blog, because I've just begun! :)

For last week's challenge of The Sew Weekly, I took a second hand men shirt and turned it into an Airelle blouse.

I thought I was going to be in a minority of people taking an old garment and using a pattern to transform it, but it turns out most people did like me. I always look up to people sewing without patterns, I was a little ashamed to use a pattern for this challenge, but I guess I was idealizing the process of refashioning a bit too much.

Being my usual, distracted self, I forgot to take photos of the original shirt before I cut into it, but I guess everyone knows how a classic man shirt looks like, no big deal.

I cut the pattern in a size 38 and the fit is very good. It's not perfect overall just because the fabric of this shirt was a tiny bit too stiff for this design. I have made another Airelle blouse in a softer material and it feels a lot different, especially when I move.

This pattern is so full of lovely details: the gathering at the shoulders, the vertical darts, the collar, the back yoke. It's also super versatile: you can alter the collar shape, you can add or skip the piping, you can play with the sleeve length and get so many different takes on this lovely design.

I prefer to wear mine tucked in a high waisted skirt, but in these photos I decided to show that it also looks good as a casual shirt with jeans.

Speaking of which, can you spot something different than usual in my photos?
I think this is the least edited my photos have been for a very long time (if not ever), and I'm still wrapping my head around it.I wanted to address this topic in this post, but I've decided to keep it separate, so... coming soon!

I love this! so cute! to be honest, the picture on the deer and doe site looks kind of stiff too, I was kinf of surprised that that was the fabric she chose to make the shirt in, I guess I was expecting a softer fabric like the ones Sarai uses for her Jasmine.I agree about the details! so cute and it can be dressed up or down. love it!

Not tired of these patterns at all, they still feel very new. The shirt turned out wonderfully. I really like seeing how these patterns are turning out and each garment I've seen I've like better than the line drawing, actually.

I spotted this on Sew Weekly and have been waiting to hear more on your blog :)I love that you used the button band down the back. I wish my husband had a store of old stripey shirts so I could cut one up! I might have to scour the charity shops for something suitable!I look forward to seeing your softer Airelle :)

Thank you, Sallie!I must admit my parents built their house in a gorgeous place... I have a few places near home where I want to shoot, they have a breathtaking views but are right on the street, with a lot of people passing by... Damn you, shyness!

Thank you!I don't know about where you live, but here here, second hand men shirt are usually very easy to find and cheap, and they're usually good quality. I hope you can find what you're looking for! :)

Thank you, Kessem!A stiffer fabric gives a more formal look, but I do think this shirt look 100 times better in a drapier fabric. Did you see Eleonore's version (http://www.pachi-pachi.fr/blog/2012/09/28/fille-a-lunettes/)? I adore it.

I agree! I think a drape-y fabric suits this blouse better. something about the darts and the fit of the shirt doesn't work for me as well in stiffer fabrics. I think I may try to draft something similar as I don't have the budget to buy this pattern now (as much as I'd love to support deer and doe!)